Israel Matzav

Lebanon denies knowing whereabouts of Hezbullah suspect

In an interview with Time Magazine, one of the four suspects in the murder of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri claimed that the Lebanese government knows exactly where he is if they want to come and get him. The Lebanese government denies that is the case. And Hariri's son, former Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, is furious.

“Does Prime Minister Najib Mikati, with his team of ministers, in principle responsible for Lebanon’s adherence to the Special Tribunal [for Lebanon], want to listen to this interview and the announcement that came from the mouth of the accused about [authorities] not apprehending him despite knowledge of his whereabouts?” Hariri asked in a statement, according to his office.

In an interview published on the Time magazine website Thursday, one of the Hezbollah suspects who spoke on condition that his name and location not be revealed, said he was wrongfully accused in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and said Lebanese authorities had knowledge of his whereabouts but would not apprehend him.

Saad Hariri also made reference to President Michel Sleiman in his statement, asking: “Has President Michel Sleiman heard of this interview that Time magazine published with one of the accused and who is wanted by international justice in the case of the assassination of [former] Prime Minister Rafik Hariri?”

Hariri accused Lebanese officials of bowing down to Hezbollah’s demands.

“It appears, neither of these [officials], want to listen or read or see or even speak. The policy of … burying ones head in the sand towards everything that deals with Hezbollah and its influence on Cabinet’s decision … is prevalent and none of the authorities can oppose the views and will of the supreme leader of the Lebanese republic,” Hariri said, in an apparent reference to Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah.

The only thing that's surprising here is that Hezbullah has not tried yet to kill Saad al-Hariri.

I hope he has better security than his father had.

Labels: Hezbullah, Rafik al-Hariri, Saad Hariri, Special Tribunal for Lebanon

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 9:22 AM